Open Door Policy - An excerpt from the first open door note

"Earnestly desirous to remove any cause of irritation and to insure
at the same time to the commerce of all nations in China the undoubted
benefits which should accrue from a formal recognition by the various
powers claiming 'spheres of interest' that they shall enjoy
perfect equality of treatment for their commerce and navigation within
such 'spheres,' the Government of the United States would be
pleased to see His German Majesty's Government give formal
assurances, and lend its cooperation in securing like assurances from the
other interested powers, that each, within its respective sphere of
whatever influence—

"First. Will in no way interfere with any treaty port or any vested
interest within any so-called 'sphere of interest' or leased
territory it may have in China.

"Second. That the Chinese treaty tariff of the time being shall
apply to all merchandise landed or shipped to all such ports as are within
said 'sphere of interest' …, no matter to what
nationality it may belong, and that duties so leviable shall be collected
by the Chinese Government.

"Third, that it will levy no higher harbor dues on vessels of
another nationality frequenting any sport in such 'sphere'
than shall be levied on vessels of its nationality, and no higher railroad
charges over lines built, controlled, or operated within its
'sphere' on merchandise belonging to citizens or subjects of
other nationalities transported through such 'sphere' than
shall be levied on similar merchandise belonging to its own nationals
transported over equal distances."